OFFICE OF MAYOR MIRO WEINBERGER 

149 Church Street | Burlington, VT 05401 | (802) 865-7272 

 

Press Release

March 22, 2022

Contact: Jordan Redell, jredell@burlingtonvt.gov

 

 

Night of Progress on City’s Housing and Transportation Goals in Final Meeting of the 2021 – 2022 City Council

 

Burlington, VT – At its March 21 meeting, the City Council supported three major initiatives that move forward the City’s housing and transportation goals.

 

“Tonight was a good night for our efforts to end homelessness, create new homes, and expand transportation options,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “I am grateful that this Council met well into the morning hours to complete this critical agenda.”

 

North Winooski Avenue Bike Lanes

The City Council voted 8-4 to advance the vision laid out in the Winooski Avenue Transportation Study to make improvements to bicycle safety on North Winooski Avenue, which is an important transportation corridor in the City. The Parking Management Plan now recommends a phased plan, whereby parking changes would occur between Union Street and Riverside Avenue and reduces the immediate net parking loss by half – from 82 to 40 spaces – while still achieving the completion of continuous bike lanes between downtown Burlington and Winooski.

 

Short Term Rentals

In a 5-7 vote, the Council upheld the Mayor’s veto of the Short Term Rental Ordinance passed on February 22. In a memo to the Council, Mayor Weinberger expressed concern that the ordinance would have an unintended consequence of worsening our housing shortage by discouraging and presenting further barriers to the development of duplexes, multi-unit buildings, and accessory dwelling units. He also urged Council to quickly bring forward a new version of the ordinance without the specific problematic provisions that restrict homeowners from operating short-term rentals in their owner-occupied properties.

 

Shelter Pods on Elmwood Avenue

In an 11-1 vote, the Council supported the Administration’s plans to build a low-barrier emergency shelter pod community on Elmwood Avenue. Building a shelter pod community was one of the priorities presented as part of Mayor Weinberger’s 10 Point Plan to Fulfill the Promise of Housing as a Human Right. In the coming weeks, the City will take steps to improve the site on Elmwood Avenue to build up to 30 climate controlled shelters, as well as on-site toilets and showers, and a Community Resource Center.

 

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Jordan Redell

Chief of Staff

Office of Mayor Miro Weinberger

City Hall | 149 Church Street

Burlington, VT 05401

Pronouns: she, her

Sign up for email newsletter updates from the Mayor’s Office.

 

 

OFFICE OF MAYOR MIRO WEINBERGER 

149 Church Street | Burlington, VT 05401 | (802) 865-7272 

 

Press Release

March 14, 2022

Contact: Jordan Redell, jredell@burlingtonvt.gov

Oliver Carling, info@burlingtonyaroslavl.com

 

 

Mayor Weinberger and Burlington-Yaroslavl Program Announce Next Steps for Sister City Relationship

Official diplomatic government relationships remain suspended indefinitely in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and Burlington-Yaroslavl Sister Cities Program will continue direct citizen to citizen engagement

 

Burlington, VT – Last week, Mayor Weinberger met with several board members of the Burlington-Yaroslavl Sister Cities Program (an independent non-profit), as well as former mayors Bob Kiss and Peter Clavelle, to discuss next steps for the relationship between Burlington and Yaroslavl, Russia, and to coordinate efforts between the City and the Program moving forward.

 

Mayor Weinberger released the following statement:

 

“I continue to stand with mayors from around the world in protesting Russian aggression by suspending the formal, diplomatic Sister City relationship with the City of Yaroslavl.  President Putin’s assault on innocent civilians and Ukraine’s sovereignty threatens the safety of millions and the stability of global order and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.  We will consider resuming this relationship when there is an acceptable resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.

 

“At the same time, I fully support the Burlington-Yaroslavl Sister Cities Program’s efforts to maintain citizen-to-citizen communications and relationships with friends in Yaroslavl during this period of terrible conflict.  It is my hope that such efforts can play a useful role in maintaining the exchange of views and information between the cities, even as President Putin attempts to fully control the flow of information to Russians about the war in Ukraine.  I am grateful that so many Burlingtonians remain committed to this Sister City relationship and continue to make the effort highly impactful and meaningful to many here and in Russia.

 

“Even when the City’s formal relationship resumes, perhaps years from now, there should be greater attention going forward to the ways in which Russia’s authoritarian leadership has directly impacted Burlington-Yaroslavl relations.  We should continue to decry the ongoing imprisonment of Yaroslavl’s duly-elected Mayor, Yevgeny Urlashov, and take steps to ensure that future interactions between the City of Burlington and City of Yaroslavl bring attention to the importance of free dissent and an independent media in our system of municipal government, liberties that have been brutally suppressed by Putin's government in Yaroslavl and throughout Russia."

 

Oliver Carling, President of the Burlington-Yaroslavl Sister Cities Program, released the following statement:

 

“We understand Mayor Weinberger’s reasons for suspending municipal government-to-government ties with the City of Yaroslavl and share his condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine by the national government of Russia.  The Putin regime’s conduct of the war, including the targeting of civilians and destruction of cities, is shocking and heartbreaking, and we appreciate the need to send the strongest possible message through our political institutions.

 

“At the same time, the Burlington-Yaroslavl Sister Cities Program, Inc., is a non-profit organization, not a municipal entity, and operates according to its mission under the supervision of an all-volunteer board.  We will continue to promote communication and people-to-people connections with the residents of Yaroslavl, as we have done for 34 years.  Many of us in Burlington have dear friends in Yaroslavl.  Our friends include teachers and students, doctors and librarians, musicians and small business owners.  We should continue to talk to our friends, near and far, in this time of crisis.

 

“In wartime there is always a temptation to vilify ordinary citizens perceived as representing the aggressive regime.  We must maintain a clear distinction between the Russian government and the people of Russia, many of whom oppose the war and live in fear of their national government.  It is dangerous for Russians to speak out, independent media have been silenced, and young men are at risk of conscription.  A new law says that reporters can be imprisoned for 15 years for factually reporting on the war in Ukraine.  In standing with Ukraine and opposing the war, we believe that keeping channels of communication open with our friends in Yaroslavl is more important than ever.”

 

The City of Burlington will continue to support cultural exchanges with an annual $2,000 contribution to the organization.

 

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Jordan Redell

Chief of Staff

Office of Mayor Miro Weinberger

City Hall | 149 Church Street

Burlington, VT 05401

Pronouns: she, her

Sign up for email newsletter updates from the Mayor’s Office.

 

 

Please note that this communication and any response to it will be maintained as a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.

OFFICE OF MAYOR MIRO WEINBERGER

149 Church Street | Burlington, VT 05401 | (802) 865-7272

 

Press Release

March 3, 2022
Contact: Jordan Redell, jredell@burlingtonvt.gov

 

Mayor Weinberger Suspends Burlington-Yaroslavl Sister City Relationship

Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Weinberger announced the he is suspending the Burlington-Yaroslavl Sister City Relationship in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

 

Established in 1988, the Burlington-Yaroslavl Sister City Program currently serves as an independent non-profit group to promote an exchange of culture between the two cities. Over the past 30 years, the two cities have facilitated exchanges and visits with students, business leaders, and athletes. The City of Burlington has long contributed $2,000 annually to the program’s budget.

 

Mayor Weinberger issued the following statement:

 

“Today I am suspending our Sister City relationship with the Russian City of Yaroslavl to signal our solidarity with the people of Ukraine in this perilous moment, and to do what we can to ensure that our friends and colleagues in Yaroslavl are fully aware of Burlington’s dismay and horror at the actions of President Vladimir Putin no matter what they are hearing from Russia’s state controlled media.

 

“I have long believed that direct engagement between Russian and American citizens, regardless of tensions at the national level, plays an important role promoting peace and understanding.  I am deeply appreciative of the time and effort many Burlingtonians have put into nurturing this relationship for decades and the positive impact the relationship has had on many students.

 

“However, President Putin’s tyranny is so vast that it has infected and poisoned even municipal-level governmental relationships and put into question whether such cultural exchanges can responsibly continue while Putin is in power.  Burlington’s sister city relationship should not legitimize Putin’s anti-democratic actions in Yaroslavl, enable the spread of Putin propaganda, or facilitate in any way Putin’s dark and dangerous agenda.  In the coming days I will convene a meeting with the active Burlington members of the sister city program to discuss my long-standing concerns about this relationship, and how to properly restart it.”

 

Mayor Weinberger has had limited engagement with the Yaroslavl program since July 2013 following the arrest of former Yaroslavl Mayor Yevgeny Urlashov, an outspoken anticorruption advocate and Putin critic who was elected the day before Mayor Weinberger was first sworn into office on April 2, 2012. Since Mayor Urlashov’s arrest, Mayor Weinberger has declined multiple invitations to visit Yaroslavl.

 

 

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Jordan Redell

Chief of Staff

Office of Mayor Miro Weinberger

City Hall | 149 Church Street

Burlington, VT 05401

Pronouns: she, her

Sign up for email newsletter updates from the Mayor’s Office.

 

 

Please note that this communication and any response to it will be maintained as a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Jordan Redell, jredell@burlingtonvt.gov  

Robert Goulding, rgoulding@burlingtonvt.gov  

Burlington’s First Fines for Food Program results in $40,000 Donation to Feeding Chittenden  

Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Weinberger announced a $40,000 contribution to Feeding Chittenden from the City’s Fines for Food program. Inspired by Feeding Chittenden’s mission to combat food insecurity, the Department of Public Works Parking Division and City Councilor Karen Paul created the Fines for Food pilot program, which was approved by City Council in December 2021. In total, over 800 people paid nearly $80,000 in fines, half of which will go to support Feeding Chittenden’s mission. 

“I’m excited that the City’s successful Fines for Food program was able to make this meaningful contribution to Feeding Chittenden,” said Mayor Weinberger. “Our outstanding DPW team came up a truly innovative program, and I’m grateful to all the residents and visitors who paid off their overdue fines to help this program succeed.” 

“Feeding Chittenden is committed to ensuring no one in our region goes without food,” said Rob Meehan, Director of Feeding Chittenden. “The pandemic has created new hardships and our response has been to pivot as an organization and deliver emergency food and look for innovative solutions to alleviate hunger. DPW’s pay it forward type initiative supports keeping transportation available to folks while also helping to feed people.” 

"Food insecurity is an unnecessary truth,"said Councilor Paul. "Although Chittenden County is considered one of the healthiest in Vermont,  too many, over 10% of our community members struggle with food insecurity, which should be unacceptable to all of us. Food insecurity is linked to a variety of chronic illnesses as well as increased stress and poor mental health. In Vermont, over 70,000 people are facing hunger - and of them over 15,000 are children. Fines for Food was created so we, as a community, could pay it forward and support an important need. These programs do not happen without a lot of teamwork. I am grateful to the Parking Services team and to the many in our community and well beyond Burlington who decided to pay their delinquent fines so we could be here today to donate these funds to Feeding Chittenden."  

“The team in Parking Services was enthusiastic about this partnership and overjoyed with how successful we were in contributing to a great cause and organization,” said Jeff Padgett, Division Director of Parking at DPW. “We heard from people all across Vermont, New England and the country who chose to pay because of the charitable contribution.  We are working hard to redefine the parking experience in Burlington and looking for creative ways to connect with our community.” 

Background 

‘Fines for Food’, which ran during the holiday season, encouraged community members to resolve outstanding parking fines with DPW donating 50% of overdue payments to Feeding Chittenden. It was envisioned by Councilor Paul and designed by DPW’s newly formed Parking Services group in consultation with the Administration and Feeding Chittenden to take concrete action to address food insecurity, unlock lost revenue for the city and create a positive experience for people in resolving old, overdue tickets. Revenue generated by this program outpaced historic payments for overdue parking fines and thus resulted in no loss of revenue to the City. While the initial program was a pilot effort, there is interest and enthusiasm in moving forward with similar efforts. 

 

More Information 

Community members can reach a member of the one-stop-shop Parking Services team by calling 802-540-2380 or pay overdue tickets online at burlingtonvt.gov/parking or in person at the municipal building at 645 Pine St.   

Community members are also encouraged to contribute to Feeding Chittenden. Please visit https://feedingchittenden.org/ to learn more about their work. 

 

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About Feeding Chittenden  

There are more than 20,000 individuals in Chittenden County who live in food insecure households.  Feeding Chittenden works to reduce that number through a food access center with programs that include a food pantry, home deliveries, soup kitchen, culinary job training and the Good Food Truck.  Visit www.feedingchittenden.org for more information. 

 

 

 

 

sponse to it will be maintained as a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.

The ARPA survey results are now available. We received 3,877 responses and 3,000+ written-in suggestions. These responses will directly influence how ARPA funding is spent in Burlington, Vermont. 

Review the Results

Thank you for your interest in the future of Burlington! 

If you’d like to direct folks to learn more about what ARPA is, please visit loveburlingon.org/arpa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 21, 2022

Contacts:  Jordan Redell, jredell@burlingtonvt.gov

Rob Goulding, rgoulding@burlingtonvt.gov

 

 

The Federal Highway Administration Issues Record of Decision for the Champlain Parkway Project

 

Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger and the City of Burlington Department of Public Works announced that a Record of Decision (ROD) for Champlain Parkway Project has been issued by the Federal Highway Administration on January 20, 2022. The issuance of the ROD signals the completion of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for environmental clearance. Specifically, the ROD constitutes approval of the Preferred Alternative for this project to provide access between I-189, US Route 7 (Shelburne Street) and the City Center District in Burlington, as described in the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) for the project.

 

The Record of Decision allows work to move forward on the project, bringing the City closer to improving traffic circulation, alleviating overburdened roadways, and improving vehicular, bike and pedestrian safety in the Southwest section of the City.

 

“The issuance of the new Record of Decision represents a major project milestone and another big step towards the completion of this multi-decade effort to improve South End transportation options and safety for pedestrians, bikers and drivers,” said Mayor Weinberger. “It is time to get this project built, deliver its benefits to the people of Burlington and the region, and demonstrate that our systems for building new public infrastructure still function.  We are grateful that our state and federal partners listened to local concerns and have issued this ROD in support of a phased project, a critical change that gives the City greatly enhanced ability to coordinate the project with other work and address neighborhood concerns.  I am grateful to the City team of dedicated employees and consultants, led by Director Chapin Spencer and City Engineer Norm Baldwin, that has brought us to the cusp on construction through a decade of skilled, responsive, and persistent effort."
 

Although the ROD is the final step in completing the environmental clearance process and results in a Selected Alternative, future changes and refinements to the project may still occur.

 

A digital version of the ROD is available on the project website. Paper copies of the ROD are available at Burlington City Hall, Burlington Department of Public Works and at the Fletcher Free Library.

 

With the issuance of the ROD, the City of Burlington plans to advertise the bid for the Champlain Parkway Project early February. The City aims to announce the award of contract in March or April, with a goal to begin construction in summer of 2022.

 

In response to community concerns raised over the last several years, the City has divided the construction of the Champlain Parkway into two phases, and is sequencing work with other projects in the South End through the South End Construction Coordination Plan.  The plan will minimize impacts on the community during construction of the projects and should also eliminate the gap in time between the construction of the Champlain Parkway and the commencement of the Railyard Enterprise Project.  Under the plan, the initial phase of work for the Champlain Parkway is slated for completion in fall 2024.

 

At the completion of the first phase of construction, project benefits will include:

• A new 25-mph grid street between Home Avenue and Lakeside Avenue that will enhance connectivity and resiliency of the South End street network
• A new stormwater pond and new stormwater sand filter that will take 11.5 acres off the combined sewer system and reduce 6,344 pounds (over three tons) of sediment from being discharged into Lake Champlain annually
• New shared use paths providing roughly two miles of continuous off-road bike/pedestrian path from the Pine Street and Locust Street intersection to Queen City Park Road in South Burlington
• Improved raised intersections at Pine Street and Kilburn Street, Pine Street and Marble Avenue, and Pine Street and Howard Street
• A new midblock crosswalk at Pine Street and Arts Riot
• An enhanced Pine Street with new granite curbs, reconstructed sidewalk with ADA-compliant access ramps on the eastern side, and new top pavement layer with improved surface drainage
• Undergrounded utilities on Lakeside Avenue between Pine Street and the new portion of the Champlain Parkway

 

For additional information please contact the Champlain Parkway Public Information Team at:

info@champlainparkway.com
 802-496-8956 
 

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--
Jordan Redell

Chief of Staff

Office of Mayor Miro Weinberger

City Hall | 149 Church Street

Burlington, VT 05401

Pronouns: she, her

Sign up for email newsletter updates from the Mayor’s Office.

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 19, 2022
Contact:  Jordan Redell
                  jredell@burlingtonvt.gov

 

Mayor Weinberger Appoints Scot Barker as Chief Innovation Officer
 

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger announced today the appointment of Scot Barker as the new Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) for the City of Burlington. Scot brings more than 25 years of management and information technology experience to this role. Scot currently serves as the Manager of Support Services at NorthCountry Federal Credit Union and previously worked at MyWebGrocer for 10 years in various leadership roles.

 

“I am pleased to appoint Scot to serve as the City’s next CIO,” said Mayor Weinberger “Since we created the position in 2014, the CIO has played an important role in professionalizing the City’s IT systems, and improving some of the City’s critical operations including restructuring the City’s permitting system and responding to COVID-19. Scot has the right experience and commitment to Burlington to serve in this key leadership role.”

 

“I’m honored and excited to be appointed to the position of Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Burlington. I look forward to serving the citizens of Burlington and the city employees. I see this opportunity as a natural continuation of my past work in social impact organizations and hope to advance our technological resources to increase inclusivity and equity across our community.”

 

Background

While at NorthCountry Federal Credit Union, Scot led the back-office support teams responsible for title management, credit and debit card services, and the organizational archives and data repository. He oversaw the selection and implementation of a new document management system while championing new operational initiatives and providing leadership across the organization.

 

In addition to 10 years at MyWebGrocer, Scot has led technology and operational groups at various companies, including IDX, Van Gennep and Scitex America and has consulted for many local, national and international organizations. Scot spent 15 years working closely with social impact organizations around the world leading him to teach a tri-sector leadership class at Marlboro College for several years. Scot currently teaches project management through Norwich University’s NorwichPro professional development program.

 

Scot has served in several volunteer roles in Burlington, including as a softball coach for community teams and at Burlington High School, at the Committee for Temporary Shelter (COTS), and serves on the board of directors for the nonprofit organization, Technology for Tomorrow. Scot earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Missouri.

 

Scot has lived in Burlington’s New North End for 26 years with his wife Becky Holt and their daughter, Sydney, who attends college at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec.

 

Search Process and Next Steps

The search for a CIO has been ongoing for several months, and a committee reviewed many applications from across the country. The committee included:

 

• Kerin Durfee, Human Resources Director
• Antonio Guerrero, Senior Systems Engineer
• Scott Duckworth, Senior Network Engineer
• Mark Barlow, City Councilor
• Katherine Schad, Chief Administrative Officer

 

If confirmed by the Council on January 24, Scot will begin work on March 7, 2022.

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 22, 2021 

Contact: Jordan Redell

                jredell@burlingtonvt.gov

 

Mayor Weinberger Issues Booster Alert

 

Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Weinberger issued a Booster Alert in the City of Burlington to drive up the rate of booster vaccines in Chittenden County, outlined steps the City is taking to prepare for the coming weeks, and urged residents to take additional precautions to protect themselves against the contagious Omicron variant.

 

“As we close 2021, we are entering yet another new stage of the pandemic with the arrival of the highly contagious Omicron variant in Vermont,” said Mayor Weinberger. As the President and Governor have said repeatedly, because of the huge progress we have made over the last year with vaccinations and our understanding of the virus this should not be cause for panic, but it should be cause for attention and taking action. Though this next stage of the pandemic will require renewed care and diligence, our City has faced difficult times before, and we have stayed focused and come together to meet the task. I know we can emerge from this challenging time stronger if we take the recommended actions, just as we have in the past 20 months. Together we can meet this moment, help those that are most vulnerable, and save lives.”

 

The City is taking several steps to prepare for the coming weeks:

                                                                                                                                             

• The City is issuing a Booster Alert. The science is now clear that receiving a booster substantially reduces a person’s likelihood of becoming infected by Omicron, versus having only an initial vaccine series. As of today, 55% of people 16 and older in Chittenden County that have completed a previous vaccine series have received a booster. Over the coming weeks, this rate needs to be driven up further.

 

• The City is in close collaboration with the state and local vaccine partners to identify ways the City may be able to support expanded capacity at local vaccination sites.

 

• On Monday, the City Council voted to extend the City of Burlington Mask Mandate Ordinance through the month of January. As a result of this ordinance, approximately 30 Burlington restaurants and bars now require vaccinations for entry. Find out more information about this ordinance at: https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/covid-19/guidance

 

• The City is preparing to update its employee vaccination policy to require boosters.

 

• The City is updating its employee masking policy to require all employees, regardless of vaccination status, to once again mask when indoors in the same room as other people.

 

Mayor Weinberger urged City residents to take the following steps:

 

• Get a booster as soon as possible, which is the most impactful precaution a person can take right now. Boosters are available for anyone 16 and older that had their last dose of either a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least 6 months ago, and people who got the single-dose J+J vaccine at least 2 months ago.

 

• Employers should strongly consider implementing the same changes that the City is making to its to COVID policies (per above).

 

• Test before and after gathering with vulnerable friends and family members. The State is working to rapidly expand their testing capacity over the coming weeks in response to the large increase in demand. Testing capacity is currently limited before Christmas, but appointments are available between Christmas and New Year’s. Find out more about where to get a test: https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/testing/where-get-tested.

 

• Use a high-quality mask, like a N95, KN95 or KF94, when in indoor public places.

 

• Prepare for potential disruptions in the weeks ahead. A wave of new infections could result in worker shortages, closures, or other forthcoming health measures.

 

 

COVID Vaccine Clinic Information

Because capacity at many sites is currently limited, residents are strongly encouraged to make an appointment. Residents can find information about vaccine clinics, including information on whether walk-ins and pediatric vaccines are available, and how to make an appointment on the State Department of Health website.

 

On December 21, the State announced additional pop-up vaccination sites and appointments during the holidays, including within Chittenden County:

 

December 23

• UVMMC Taft Corners, 300 Interstate Corp Center, Williston
• Community Health Centers Burlington, 294 North Winooski Ave, Burlington
• Double Tree Hotel, 870 Williston Road, South Burlington

 

December 30

• UVMMC Taft Corners, 300 Interstate Corp Center, Williston
• Double Tree Hotel, 870 Williston Road, South Burlington

 

Vermont Health Equity Initiative hosts vaccine, booster, and pediatric vaccine clinics for BIPOC Vermonters in Burlington every other weekend through March 2022.

• On December 26, there will be a clinic for 5-11 year olds from 11am to noon at the Downtown Burlington High School.
• The next regular clinic is January 8, 2022 at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 2 Cherry Street, Burlington.
• More information and to register for an appointments at a VHEI clinic, visit: https://www.vermonthealthequity.org/

 

 

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 21, 2021 

Contact: Jordan Redell

                jredell@burlingtonvt.gov

 

Mayor Weinberger Statement Regarding Council Action Regarding Police Chief Search

 

Burlington, VT – Mayor Weinberger released the following statement regarding the Council’s action last night regarding the Police Chief search:

 

“My goal in re-opening the search for a permanent police chief last May was to help build a much needed new consensus about the future of public safety in this community. We started with a multi-month public engagement process, issued a report detailing the ideal candidate for the community in this moment, and assembled a diverse search committee to review potential candidates.

 

“Unfortunately, Progressives City Councilors have made this goal of consensus impossible by denying the Administration the tools and conditions we need to recruit a broad pool of candidates. Progressive City Councilors have blocked the Administration since September from increasing the salary for the open Chief’s position, a step routinely taken by the City to ensure that our leadership positions are competitive. 

 

“On November 12, I outlined a clear path forward to strengthen the search by requesting that the City Council take five actions (full letter here):

1. Increase the Police Chief compensation.
2. Support retaining an executive search firm to lead the search process.
3. Create civilian recruiter position and resource Department recruitment efforts.
4. Create a civilian Public Information Officer (PIO).
5. Retain the Police Chief’s leadership over officer discipline.

 

“The action taken by the Council last night is non-responsive to realities facing the City today. As the Council acknowledged last night, this resolution only authorizes an expenditure of $75,000 for an executive search firm. It does not bind or constrain my authority to complete the search process and bring forward a candidate. Without the Council commitment to raising the salary cap, hiring a PIO and recruiter, or to retaining Police Chief’s leadership over discipline, this action does not give the Administration what it needs to successfully re-start the search process. Instead, it is nearly certain to squander months of valuable time and waste tens of thousands of dollars of taxpayer resources and could well result in the loss of the two qualified candidates that have applied and are eager to serve Burlington.

 

“It remains within the Mayor’s authority under City Charter to select and make department head appointments, and I believe it is my duty to do so urgently. Consistent with my November 12 memo to the City Council, I will move forward with our current pool of candidates, with the goal of putting forward an appointee for Council confirmation early in the new year. The community and our police department need a permanent chief now. Our efforts to rebuild the department, to protect public safety, and to create a community in which everyone feels safe and welcome are all suffering from an extended period without permanent leadership.”

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 17, 2021

Contact: Jordan Redell

                jredell@burlingtonvt.gov

 

Burlington Wastewater Monitoring Program Detects Very Limited Presence of Mutations Related to COVID-19 Omicron Variant

Overall Sars-Cov-2 levels remain stable; Walk-in vaccination and booster appointments available this weekend through VHEI BIPOC clinic and at University Mall.

 

Burlington, VT – Late Wednesday evening, the City of Burlington received results from its Wastewater Monitoring Program that detected mutation signatures associated with the Omicron variant, which was first detected in South Africa in late November. The presence of the Omicron-related mutations was very limited. Though the finding is not definitive until it has been confirmed through genomic sequencing of a laboratory-confirmed positive PCR test result, these results indicate that the Omicron variant may be present in Burlington at a low level. The Omicron variant has been confirmed in 39 states according to the C.D.C, including in all of Vermont’s neighboring states and Quebec, but has not yet been identified in Vermont.

 

“As public health officials have projected, we now have an indication that the more transmissible variant of COVID-19 that was first detected in South Africa may be here in Burlington,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “By identifying this possibility early, when it would be at a very low level, we have an opportunity to heighten our vigilance and follow the recommendations of public health experts as we head into the holidays in the coming weeks—get vaccinated, get a booster, and get tested before and after gathering with friends and loved ones.”

 

The mutation signatures associated with the Omicron variant were detected in samples from both the East and Main Wastewater Treatment Plants, which serve all parts of the City except the New North End. The City first began testing for evidence of the Omicron variant two weeks ago, and will continue to test over the coming weeks.

 

Wastewater monitoring data is best used to indicate the detection or non-detection of the virus and to indicate trends over time; it cannot be used to determine how many people may be sick with COVID-19. The identified volume of mutation signatures associated with the Omicron variant is low enough to suggest that, if the variant is present in the Burlington community, it is not yet widespread. Additionally, the overall concentration of Sars-Cov-2 across the City’s three wastewater treatment plants generally has been stable following the Thanksgiving holiday. For more information about the City’s wastewater testing program, please visit https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/covid-19/wastewater.

 

Guidance for Burlingtonians

Early data suggest that Omicron could be twice as transmissible as the Delta variant, which is the current dominant strain of Sars-Cov-2. Early evidence also suggests that, while the Omicron variant may evade immunity from infection for individuals who have been fully vaccinated or infected, vaccines remain effective against severe outcomes. Additionally, Dr. Anthony Fauci, White House chief medical adviser on the coronavirus, indicated this week that boosters provide powerful protection against Omicron infection.

 

The possibility that the Omicron variant is now present in our community makes it even more important for Burlington residents to follow the City’s current COVID-19 recommendations, which include:

 

• If you are not vaccinated, you should get vaccinated. If you have received only one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, receive a second dose as soon as you are eligible.

 

• If you are 16 and older, and it has been over six months since you became fully vaccinated with a Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or two months since you became fully vaccinated with a Janssen vaccine, you should get a free vaccine booster (only the Pfizer booster is approved for 16 and 17 year olds).

 

• If you are the parent or guardian of a child five to 11 years old who has not been vaccinated, you should know that the vaccine is safe for children and that there are appointments available around the country.

 

• If you travel, host guests, or attend large gatherings, get a COVID test before and after—either through a state testing site or by using an at-home rapid test from a local pharmacy. At-home rapid tests now are required to be free or reimbursable for individuals with private insurance plans in Vermont.

 

• Improve ventilation and air quality when gathering indoors by opening a window or using a portable HEPA air filter.

 

Vaccine and Booster Information

• The Vermont Health Equity Initiative (VHEI) is hosting a vaccine and booster clinic for all BIPOC Vermonters and their households tomorrow, Saturday, December 18. Walk-ins are welcome. More information about VHEI can be found at https://twitter.com/VTHealthEquity/status/1470772598850084865. 

 

• The Vermont Department of Health is hosting a vaccine clinic at the University Mall Saturday and Sunday, December 18 and 19, and walk-ins are welcome.

 

• For more information about how to get a vaccine or booster:
  
  • Visit https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/vaccine/getting-covid-19-vaccine; or
  • Call 855.722.7878.

 

 

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